The Sorting Ceremony

As I expected, I hadn’t any time yesterday to post about the rest of the day.

After we arrived at Hogsmeade station, Elizabeth and I got off the train. Before that, we had promised each other that we would stay together as long as possible. It felt good to have someone on my side and I guess Lizzy felt the same.

On the platform a big man – or better a small giant – called all first years to him. We climbed into small boats and sailed across a rather big lake. It was getting dark and the trip was really scary. Don’t know about you, but it seems I use scary or scared rather a lot in recent times. This is clearly not a brave girl. 😦

Anyway, I held hands with Lizzy and with her I could even enjoy the trip a bit and the castle on the other side of the lake was quite a sight to behold.
I asked Lizzy about the sorting, but she couldn’t tell me much as her parents refused to tell her because they wanted to not spoil the fun for her. Just my luck!

All students got safe to the castle and we waited in the entrance hall for our big moment. When we entered the Great Hall and I instantly forgot my nerves. The Hall is great indeed, with a transparant ceiling, floating lit candles and hundreds and hundreds of students on 4 big tables and the teachers on another one at the far end. I didn’t know where to start to look, it was all soooo gorgeous.

The witch who visited my family lead us in front of the teachers table. There was a stool with a shabby old hat on it. Mrs. Vector, I finally found out her name – whoop whoop – told us that when our name is called we sit on the stool, put on the hat. The hat will decide in which house we belong and we are then to go to the appropriate table.

Lizzy Arthur was the first student to be sorted and she became a Ravenclaw. I had to wait, Miller is always in the middle, no matter which end the list starts. I had enough time to get nervous again and when my name was called I tottered to the stool, sat down and put the hat on. I heard a voice inside my head, I guess it was the hat trying to figure out where to put me. It finally shouted Gryffindor and I ran to the table where the students had started to cheer.

Meh, I’d hoped I would be in Ravenclaw just like Lizzy. I tried to find her at the Ravenclaw table and when our eyes met, she looked as disappointed as I felt 😥

All the excitement of the day had really tired me. There was a feast, but I only ate a few bites, even though everything I tried tasted delicious. After the feast I just wanted to go to bed. We were brought up to Gryffindor tower and there into one of the girls’ dormitory. I got the bed right next to the window and I almost instantly fell asleep.

The Journey to Hogwarts

Phew, what a day so far. I’m currently sitting in the Hogwarts Express and we’re approaching Hogsmeade station. I’m not sure if I can blog this evening, that’s why I’m writing this short note.

We made it to King’s Cross station alright this morning. My parents even knew how to get onto Platform 9 3/4. The Hogwarts professor who visited us told us, but I was too shocked then to pay attention. I’m glad my parents did pay attention because it’s a bit scary to walk right into a solid wall, waiting to crash any moment. But the crash didn’t come.

Instead we emerged onto a normal platform where a scarlet steam engine was puffing smoke and lots of parents were seeing their children off. I found a seat next to a girl I thought was my age. She smiled nervously at me. My parents and Bobby said goodbye and wished me a good term. I cried a bit, although I’d intended not to do. But honestly, I was scared like hell and just couldn’t hold back the tears 😥

The train left the station and I sat silently for a while, trying not to break down completely. I already miss my family and I’m still scared.
After some time the girl next to me asked me if I was a first year as well. Her name is Elizabeth and she comes from a wizarding family. She told me about herself and everything she knew about Hogwarts. Seems there are four houses and all new students get sorted into them right after they arrived at school.

Woah, now I’m scared and nervous and scared. Did I mention I was scared?

Anyway, the train is slowing down, gotta go and get sorted. Wish me luck!!!